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Article: Skin allergies: a source of anguish: an ingredient in a dog's food or pollen in the air they breathe is often the cause.
- Article from:
- Dog Watch
- Article date:
- March 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Belvoir Media Group, LLC. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
The usefulness of your dog's skin--the thin layer of tissue that encases the entirety of its body--extends well beyond the obvious role it plays as the substrate for the animal's lustrous haircoat. In a healthy dog, the skin functions as a barrier against invasion by harmful microorganisms. It works as a watertight seal, retaining body fluids and preventing dehydration. The skin insulates the internal organs against the outside world's extremes of heat and cold. And it serves as a sensory surface, picking up information from the environment and relaying that information to the brain.
Unfortunately, the canine skin--despite its ...